The UN Human Rights Council examined human rights violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, revealing troubling patterns of repression, lack of accountability, and humanitarian crises. Experts reported on the consequences of protests in Iran, the plight of Syria’s missing, and the electoral issues in Venezuela, sparking calls for thorough investigations and interventions.
During its latest session, the UN Human Rights Council scrutinized the human rights situations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, guided by independent experts. Notable findings included severe violations of fundamental rights in Iran, mainly linked to the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death and the resultant protests.
Sara Hossain, head of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, reported that children suffered severe injuries from metal pellet ammunition during protests. The investigation highlighted torture and other abuses detainees faced while in the custody of Iranian authorities.
According to Hossain, Iran has consistently failed to acknowledge the demands for justice and equality stemming from the 2022 protests. She expressed concern over the criminalization and repression of protesters, particularly targeting women and families of victims.
Shaheen Ali from the Fact-Finding Mission emphasized the Iranian government’s obligation to provide justice. Victims reported a lack of faith in the judicial system, making external accountability measures essential in these cases. The Iranian officials contested the validity of these findings, indicating significant internal opposition to the probe.
The Human Rights Council discussion also addressed Syria, with Paulo Pinheiro, head of the Commission of Inquiry, urging investigations into the fate of tens of thousands of missing persons. He commended new authorities for their willingness to collaborate, stressing the critical humanitarian and economic situation in Syria.
Pinheiro noted a decrease in humanitarian funding and warned how economic despair could incite further violence. He called for extensive efforts from the caretaker authorities alongside support from human rights organizations to uncover fates of the missing and to address humanitarian needs.
Marta Valiñas, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, presented evidence of political repression, arbitrary arrests, and electoral malpractice, particularly surrounding the contested 2024 presidential elections. She raised concerns about the lack of transparency from the electoral council during this period.
The election process saw a spike in detentions of opposition figures and suppression of protests, leading to critical rights violations. Valiñas discussed confirmed fatalities from protests, including a specific incident in Maracay, where army and security forces used firearms against demonstrators.
Concerns were also raised over the deaths of detainees in custody attributed to mistreatment and torture. The Venezuelan government responded critically to the findings, claiming that the mission’s conclusions were biased and politically driven without substantial evidence to support them.
The UN Human Rights Council has highlighted grave human rights abuses in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, as reported by independent experts. Key issues include state-led repression in Iran following protests, the plight of missing individuals in Syria, and electoral malpractice combined with political repression in Venezuela. These issues underline the need for continued international scrutiny and accountability measures to address human rights violations in these nations.
Original Source: news.un.org
